Papier-mâché Mask

Our initial project of each semester will be to create a basic papier-mâché mask. Students will primarily use paper strip techniques using glue mixed with water as a binder. Students will also be introduced to "cellu-clay"; a commonly available paper pulp sculpting material.

Mask use shows up in theater traditions worldwide. 3/4 mask are an effective means obscuring a performer's face without impeding speech.

Students may be assigned a theme or research project to accompany this project.

Process outline:

- Choose plaster cast / mask blank and begin to sculpt the overall shape and expression.

- Use plastic film as a barrier between mask form.

- begin to build up layers of paper mâché. Paper strips can be dipped into glue mixture, wrung out with fingers, and then applied to mask, or one can use a brush to lay glue down and then tamp down new layers of paper. Numbers of layers will depend on paper thickness, but generally between six and layers will yield a strong mask form. Areas with complex intersecting shapes like the nose and brows will require less layers that flatter areas such as outer edges or the sides of the face.

- Paper clay can be used to sculpt detail over layers of paper. When dry, this can be sanded or filed to achieve desired texture. Other fillers such as Spackle or modeling paste can also be used.

- When the form is finished, they will be based with primer or gesso and some form of strap will be connected to the form.

- As theatrical lighting can often wash out detail, we will approach wet blending, stippling, and dry brushing techniques as a way to create varied value and accentuate highlights and shadows within the mask.